MARCH 13, 2020
Formula 1, FIA and AGPC cancel Australian GP
It was announced on the morning of the opening session of the 2020 season that the first race of the year would be cancelled.
© RV Press
It was announced on the morning of the opening session of the 2020 season that the first race of the year would be cancelled.
After McLaren announced yesterday that they were withdrawing from the event due to one of their team personnel had tested positive for the corona virus, pressure continued to escalate to cancel the Australian Grand Prix.
This morning the FIA in conjunction with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation issued the following statement:
"Following the confirmation that a member of the McLaren Racing Team has tested positive for COVID-19 and the team’s decision to withdraw from the Australian Grand Prix, Formula 1 and the FIA convened a meeting of the other nine team principals on Thursday evening. Those discussions concluded with a majority view of the teams that the race should not go ahead."
"Formula 1 and the FIA, with the full support of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation (AGPC) have therefore taken the decision that all Formula 1 activity for the Australian Grand Prix are cancelled."
"We appreciate this is very disappointing news for the thousands of fans due to attend the race and all ticket holders will receive a full refund and a further announcement will be communicated in due course."
"All parties took into consideration the huge efforts of the AGPC, Motorsport Australia, staff and volunteers to stage the opening round of the 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship in Melbourne, however concluded that the safety of all members of the Formula 1 family and the wider community, as well as the fairness of the competition take priority."